Fishing through the ice is an Outdoor activity that can be enjoyed by everyone in the family. Unlike other Winter sports, it’s cheap to get outfitted and with knowledge of where to find a place to fish, a beginner can have an excellent chance at success their first trip at the fishing hole.
But what does a first timer need to start ice fishing? One has a wide range of options fishing reels available today, First Timer can easily spend 100′s of their hard earned money on ice fishing tackle and not be sure they have what the need to get started.
It’s this reason alone that I created this list of essential ice fishing tackle that a First Timer will need to get started. What’s more is that for less than what a Family of for can eat out at a steak house these days, you ought to be able to buy all the fishing tackle that a Greenhorn will need to get started ice fishing.
Before anything else, you will need an ice auger to cut holes in the ice. I recommend a five, possibly even a 6 inch auger for panfish like Perch, Bluegill and Crappie. For bigger fish like Walleye, Pike or Channel Catfish, then For Beginners, I’d want a 8, possibly even a 10 inch auger. You can get the power augers or the manual augers. Obviously the manual augers are not as expensive as the power augers but require more work to make a hole in the ice. You’ll also need a scoop to get the ice chips out of the ice hole.
Tip ups and rods. The majority of fishermen bore a bunch of holes over rock piles, weed beds and other types of bottom structure and use tip ups to increase their chances of catching fish. Not surprsingly a lot of fishermen prefer to ice fish with a ice rod rather than tip ups. If it was me,I’d get a few tip ups along with a good rod so you can see which tactic you like for catching fish.
The line you use for fishing should be designed for fishing through the ice. The ice cold water can make fishing line brittle. That’s why you’ll want to be sure and get line specifically designed for fishing through the ice. Cortland makes a product called Ice Line that is great. The line is the most crucial part of your ice fishing gear.
You’ll also want to get some jigs and lures to go along with your bait. Tiny jigs are great for panfish. Also tear drop jigs and tiny spoons will come in handy when the panfish get finicky. As for bait, panfish love mealworms and spikes while larger fish such as Walleye prefer Worms or baitfish like smelt. Talk to the people at your local bait store to see what’s preferred on the waters you’ll be fishing.
Make certain to purchase something to sit on. Many seasoned ice fishermen make use of an ordinary five gallon bucket. Few Beginners will even bring lawn chairs out on the ice, but a five gallon bucket will also help you haul your gear to and from the ice.
This is all you need to to start ice fishing. Be sure to buy a fishing license and read up on the regulations for the area you plan on fishing. Being ticketed for breaking a law can ruin your fishing trip. Now get out there and have some fun. Don’t forget the most important fishing tip, be safe and follow all the safety rules for fishing on the ice.
